Extraction's Alteration

'What do you mean you lack the data? Are you perhaps made by the technology of some ancient being?'

[...]

[The Extraction can not answer that. Even our existence is unknown to us.]

Kopi ruminated over it and finally concluded it would be a waste of time trying to understand the origin. 

Even if he theorized the Gifts must have originated from the technology of a Higher being, scaring him to his wits, without complete evidence to prove it, then it would remain, as it was similar to the philosophers.

No matter what, it was none of his concern. If before he aimed to study philosophy about Gifts, it was because he desired to find ways to awaken his Gift, but now that he had awakened it, he perceived it would be meaningless.

What was his next and main goal right now… was to become stronger than anyone else.

It might be an ambiguous ambition, but in his heart, he deeply desired to become stronger.

'All right.' Kopi let out a breath. 'You can extract knowledge from me.

Before that, I have a question.

Can you extract the knowledge of others too?'

[Responding to the host's question. No, the system can only extract what is known to be the Gift of others and integrate it into the host. For now, it is unlimited, but what limits the host's to extract all of them is his core. 

Your core can only accommodate five Gifts, but it will depend on the quality.

The higher the quality, the lower the quantity you can gain.]

Kopi was slightly disappointed, but his breathing quickened when the Extraction mentioned he could extract the Gift of others.

If that were the case… then would the goal of becoming the strongest was no longer impossible to reach?

In the middle of the celebration in his mind, Kopi let out a shriek, startled by the sudden pain in his head.

He gritted his teeth and clutched his head to alleviate the pain, but it was meaningless.

It was too excruciating, but the notion of disturbing his little brother from his sleep forced him to restrain himself from letting out a shrill scream.

He bit his lower lip to stay awake, but even the pain from it couldn't be compared to his head.

He fell to his knees and collided his head to the floor, believing it would ease the pain, yet nothing changed.

It was still the same.

It continued for more than a minute, and when he perceived the ache was diminishing, his vision slowly became clearer.

He still grunted, rubbed his forehead from the dust, and slowly sat up with the help of both of his hands.

His countenance was gloomy as he gazed at his little brother and father, who were still in their deep slumber.

He heaved a sigh of relief and was about to complain when he heard the Extraction echoed in his mind.

For some reason, it was not as startling as before.

[The host's knowledge has been fully consumed. Assimilating knowledge… Estimating… It will take five minutes. The Extraction requests the host not to disturb him for a while…]

'Whatever. You senseless fucker.' Kopi grumbled in fury.

He sat in a comfortable position and closed his eyes, trying to meditate.

The irritation from his face distracted him and perceived it was like the tears slithering from his eyes to his mouth.

He knitted his eyebrows.

It was then he remembered he bit his lower lip to distract the pain and calmly wept the blood.

His hand was trembling, however, for it appeared it was still experiencing the trauma from the excruciating pain.

Kopi even let out a grunt as he perceived a portion of his lower lips was empty.

It was completely wrecked.

Then, he finally discerned – after opening his eyes – that his hand was soaked with blood.

His hand quivered, and his mind turned into chaos.

He panicked.

He quickly thought of the medical kit he brought more than a year ago and hoped there were still band-aids left.

Then he realized…

"A e a e…" He tried to speak, but he subconsciously did not try to touch his lips against each other.

He cursed.

'Darn it. I want to say as if band-aids could prevent this showering blood.'

Regardless, Kopi finally decided on another alternative.

While putting pressure to stop the blood with his viscous blood right hand, he glanced at the lower part of his sleeveless shirt and grabbed it.

He tore a long but thin part from his stomach to the back.

It was really long since it was a complete round portion of his sleeveless shirt.

Then, he sat up and dashed to their sink.

It was outside of the left side of their house.

It was chaotic and filthy; even the faucet was rusty.

When Kopi rotated it for the water to flow, it resonated with a creaking noise as though it would collapse at any moment.

His left hand, clutching the grimy part of the sleeveless shirt, soaked it with water and massaged the shirt to remove the dirt.

His hand was still quivering, and his face appeared to be panicky. 

When he finally discerned he finally washed the dirt away, he quickly placed it on his mouth – after removing his right hand.

Putting pressure, with the help of both of his hands, gripping each end, he revolved it at the back of his head, where his hands meet, and they passed away as they continued to the mouth.

He continued until the bandage – made by the portion of his sleeveless shirt – covered the mouth thick enough to stop the blood.

He dropped his shoulder and relaxed.

Gazing at his hands soaked with blood, he grumbled.

He tried to speak in his mouth… but finally decided on his mind.

'Damn it!'

He washed his hands to remove the blood.

…

Five minutes later, Kopi was delighted he finally erased the blood.

Nonetheless, the fact he was now mute – temporarily – was not worth celebrating.

The sudden voice of the Extraction echoed in his mind, but compared to before it was not startling.

[The knowledge of the host has been completely assimilated.

Implementing the host's request… It has been completely assimilated.

The Extraction will now be talking normally like a human.]

Kopi grumbled, still feeling indignant about what the Extraction had done to him.

Kopi decided to talk with the Extract when the latter beat him into it.

[Holy shit! What happens to your lower lip?]